The type of symptoms and how bad they are can vary. This condition may make it hard for your child to think clearly, focus, or remember things. It may affect how alert your child is. Other symptoms include changes in personality or mood, seizures, and poor muscle tone.
The doctor will treat what's causing the problem. For example:
When doctors can't treat the cause of the problem, they treat the symptoms. For example, the doctor may prescribe medicine to control seizures.
Sometimes a child may need to be treated in the hospital. Your child may get fluids or nutrition through a vein (I.V.). Or your child may get help through a breathing tube that is attached to a machine (ventilator). Your child will be watched closely to help prevent serious problems, such as hearing loss, seizures, and brain damage.
Your child may need follow-up care. Over time, the doctor will check for long-term physical and learning problems.
To help diagnose the condition, the doctor will ask about:
The doctor will also do a physical exam and watch how your child interacts and behaves.
The doctor may order tests, such as:
These may be done to check for chemical and fluid imbalances or toxins in the blood. They also look for problems with metabolism and signs of infection. And they may be done to see how well the kidneys and liver are working.
This may be done to measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and to get a sample of it. CSF is the colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
These show a picture of the brain.
This shows the electrical activity of the brain.
Other tests that may be done include:
This may be done if the doctor thinks an abnormal gene is causing the problem.
This may be done to find out if the condition has affected your child's ability to think clearly, focus, solve problems, or remember.
This may be done to check for bleeding or swelling in the brain and damage to certain areas of the brain.
This is done to look at the mother's placenta and to take a sample of a newborn's umbilical cord blood.
Work with your doctor on ways to care for your child at home. Give your child any medicines as prescribed. Take your child to all follow-up visits with doctors or physical therapists. Consider joining a support group or connecting with other parents who have children with similar conditions.
Your child may have physical and learning problems because of encephalopathy. But getting support can help you care for your child. Here are some ideas.
Your child may need:
Public schools are required to create an Individualized Education Program for children with special needs. This details your child's disability, appropriate teaching methods, and goals for the school year.
The teacher:
Or talk with other parents who have a child with special needs.
It can help you understand your feelings and work through them.
This service provides a break for parents and siblings. This allows you to recharge, so you can be at your best for your child.
Encephalopathy is a condition that affects the brain. It can affect memory, thinking, and personality. It can also affect the nerves and muscles in the body. These problems may last a short time or cause problems over the long term.
Many things can cause encephalopathy. These include:
This may happen:
This may happen when:
These may happen in the brain or spinal cord or throughout the body.
This may happen:
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